Chapter 10 : I Made a Decision
Author's Note: Hi Everybody! Thanks to my dearest Laura (OSUSprinks) to be my magnificent beta! And thanks for all the lovely reviews to OSUSprinks, prettycrazy, Zsulie, clarisseandmishka, The Velvet Top Hat, Maya12987, kristi-julie, bluegirl-783 and to Captain Weirdo. I dedicate this chapter to all of you!
"They froze your accounts." repeated Charlotte.
"But… but why?" asked Clarisse shocked. "Oh… About Joseph, am I right?"
"Yes, exactly."
"But I thought everybody calmed down after the press conference." said Clarisse.
"Yes, you won them over, but the trust has disappeared. That was the reason they referred to."
"I can't believe it. Everything was so perfect… and now… Oh, what am I going to do?" sighed Clarisse.
"Relax honey. We'll figure out something." said Joseph softly.
"Really?"
"Yes, of course. Nothing is hopeless." smiled Joseph. "But first, we should get dressed and then hold an emergency meeting in the office in half an hour."
"Right. That's a good idea." smiled Clarisse, then turned to Charlotte. "So we'll meet in 30 minutes in the office. Please inform Mia, and we'll see what happens next…"
"Very well, Your Majesty." smiled Charlotte and left the room.
OOOOOOOOOO
They both dressed up in record time, but Joseph went on before, 'cos he wanted to do something immediately.
In the office…
"I… I can't find words." said Mia shocked when they told her the whole story. "So grandma is poor now…"
"Don't be silly Mia." said Joseph. "Why would she be poor?"
"'Cos she has no money at the moment… But wait a minute! I have! They didn't freeze my accounts, so I can give her money…" smiled Mia widely.
"Yes, you're right, and it's very sweet of you Mia, but Clarisse is my wife now, so I'll pay her way." said Joseph.
"No. She is my grandmother, I'll pay for everything."
"No, Mia. I'll pay for everything, and I not yield an inch." said Joseph in a firm voice.
"Can I say something IN MY CASE?" asked Clarisse as she stepped in.
"NO!" said Mia and Joseph at once. That was the only thing they could agree.
"Right." said Clarisse and took a deep breath. "But now if you can concentrate, we have to solve a more important problem."
"What would be more important than this?" asked Mia.
"I made a decision… I'm going to resign."
"What? But grandma, it's not that serious…"
"Please Mia, it's not a force. It's a perfect opportunity. I want to live my own life, so it's a perfect chance. It could not have come at a better time…"
"But who will be the next on the throne?" asked Mia.
"You, darling… Oh, don't look so scared, you're ready for it. Believe me…" smiled Clarisse and cupped her cheek.
"And you wanna be finally happy…"
"Yes, exactly." answered Clarisse softly.
"Ok. " sighed Mia and started to murmuring. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment, that something else is more important than fear… Ok, I'll do my best." smiled Mia and hugged her grandmother.
"Thank you darling." said Clarisse with tears in her eyes. "So now, we just have to keep our fingers crossed. We need the parliament's confirmation."
OOOOOOOOO
A few hours later, the parliament held a special session, 'cos the queen wanted to announce something…
"Gentlemen." started Clarisse her speech. "I heard about your decision. And I must say that I was quite surprised you were duped by a malicious gossip. I gave my answers on that press conference yesterday, and if I've not won you over… I'm sorry… But I have nothing else to add…"
"But Your Majesty…" started Viscount Mabrey.
"Let me finish…" said Clarisse in a firm voice. "As I said, I have nothing else to add, but I think this situation is not good for Genovia. I don't want to rule this country, if you Gentlemen don't trust in me hundred percent, so…" said Clarisse and took a deep breath "I made my decision and I'm going to resign… for the benefit of my granddaughter, Amelia. And now, all those who support Amelia to be the queen, say aye…"
There was quiet in the room for a few moments, but soon Mr. Montaz got up and broke the silence…
"Aye." said the prime minister.
"Aye." said Lord Palimore too. And a second later…
"Aye." said most of them at once.
OOOOOOOOOOOClarisse was contented, the parliamentary meeting was definitely a success, so Mia could be queen and her own life… yes, that was finally perfect…
She was in their suite with Joseph…
"I'm so glad, that everything is settled." smiled Joseph and drew her closer lovingly.
"Yes, me too." smiled Clarisse. "Now we can start our new life, I mean really start."
"So after Mia is queen we can move finally?"
"Yes. We'll find a nice and cosy house somewhere and move in. Oh, I can't wait for it."
"A real home." sighed Joseph. "That's what I always wanted. And I can finally give you everything."
"That reminds me, what was that argument with Mia in my office?" asked Clarisse.
"That wasn't an argument. I'll pay the house and everything. What's the matter?" asked Joseph, 'cos Clarisse pulled away a little.
"I… I know it's appropriate. But I want to pay half of the price of our house." said Clarisse.
"But why? I have plenty of money, and I'm your husband. Look Clarisse, I wanna look after you, give you everything I can. Please don't take that away from me.Please." asked Joseph softly and cupped her cheek.
"I won't, but leave me this one thing. Just half of the house… It's important to me." answered Clarisse.
"Of course, if you want. But I don't understand it. And anyway, how can you pay it?"
"Oh, I have a secret account in Switzerland, you know just for safety. And the reason is… Well it's quite simple. When I was at home, everything was my parents'. Then I came to the palace, and everything was still someone else's thing. Rupert's palace, Rupert's bed, Rupert's car… I have nothing. I mean beyond the clothes and some little things… So I want to live in my own house, our house, not in my husband's house. Do you understand it?"
"Yes. I see now." said Joseph and kissed her gently. This kiss was… relaxing. That was the best word to describe it. She felt herself eased and happy. This marriage thing with Joseph was totally different, they were equals… not as with Rupert.
"So I think we should look for a house tomorrow…" smiled Joseph.
"Yes, don't waste the time. The truth is, that I actually found one."
"Really? Just because I found one too."
"Where?" asked Clarisse.
"It's a secret. I've known a place for years, and… I always imagined my life there… with you."
"It's quite spooky, 'cos 'my house' is the one, where I've always wanted to live with you." smiled Clarisse.
"Oh, How will we choose?" asked Joseph chuckling.
"Well that will be easy I think. We don't even know they want to sell it or not.Maybe we won't have to choose."
"Oh, yes you're right." said Joseph sadly. "But don't worry. I believe in fortune, and that vision in my head is so clear… I know we're gonna live there."
"Or in 'my house'."
"Yes, honey." smiled Joseph and gave her a kiss. "Leave that to fate."
"Right." smiled Clarisse.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
The next morning, they arrived at the beach. Joseph wanted to show his choice first. He was so excited like a child…
"Ok. Now, close your eyes." said Joseph "The house is not far from here. Don't worry, I'll guide you."
"Right. But If I fall…" Clarisse teased him while they started walk.
"If you fall, you could carry along me with you, and we could make love on the beach." smiled Joseph.
"Be careful Sir! 'Cos I'll take at your word." giggled Clarisse.
"Well, here I am!" said Joseph with a big grin on his face.
A few minutes later they finally arrived…
"Do we stop?" asked Clarisse.
"Yes, 'cos we arrived. You can open your eyes now. This is my choice." announced Joseph. He hoped that she gonna love it, but he never expected a reaction like this… She started to laughing…
"Hahaha." giggled Clarisse. "It's… Hahaha…"
"What is so funny dear?" asked Joseph with a smile.
"That's… That's the same house I chose."
To be continued….
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! And now please review! There is more to come!:-)